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Overview

The types of investigations possible in the orbital laboratory Spacelab are considered. A summary of services available to the Spacelab user is given, in which the load carrying capacity and the characteristics of the main subsystems (e.g. thermal control, environmental control, electrical power and energy as well as data management) are briefly described. Life science investigations may be undertaken for two reasons: firstly, to ensure safety and efficiency, and, secondly, for their scientific interest relating to effects of weightlessness or cosmic radiation. Safety of the crew and their genetic cells in relation to cosmic radiation is considered vital; essential knowledge is also required about the performance of the vestibular balancing mechanism and the related problem of "stomach awareness". The effect of zero-gravity on the cardiovascular system is studied, and the effect of circulatory changes in the brain, possible psychological stress and effects on exercise tolerance measured. Due to their rapid reproduction, important information may be gained from micro-organisms in respect of mutation rates when exposed to radiation. Plants depend, to some extent, on gravity in germination and growth. Of interest here is the relative importance of gravitational and photonic influences.

01 Jan 1976·Life sciences and space research

Spacelab and its utilization for biomedical experiments.

Article

Author: Seibert, G

The types of investigations possible in the orbital laboratory Spacelab are considered. A summary of services available to the Spacelab user is given, in which the load carrying capacity and the characteristics of the main subsystems (e.g. thermal control, environmental control, electrical power and energy as well as data management) are briefly described. Life science investigations may be undertaken for two reasons: firstly, to ensure safety and efficiency, and, secondly, for their scientific interest relating to effects of weightlessness or cosmic radiation. Safety of the crew and their genetic cells in relation to cosmic radiation is considered vital; essential knowledge is also required about the performance of the vestibular balancing mechanism and the related problem of "stomach awareness". The effect of zero-gravity on the cardiovascular system is studied, and the effect of circulatory changes in the brain, possible psychological stress and effects on exercise tolerance measured. Due to their rapid reproduction, important information may be gained from micro-organisms in respect of mutation rates when exposed to radiation. Plants depend, to some extent, on gravity in germination and growth. Of interest here is the relative importance of gravitational and photonic influences.

01 Jan 1976·Solid State Astrophysics

Physical Adsorption of Hydrogen on Interstellar Graphite Grain Surfaces

Author: R. F. Willis ; B. Fitton

Existing single-particle theories concerning parameters of importance which determine the kinetics of H₂ formation and ejection from cold (T_gr ≲ 20 K) graphite grain surfaces are discussed.The nature of the single-particle quantum states of low mass gas atoms and mols. in a periodic surface lattice potential is considered.Contributions to the phys. adsorption potential due to dynamic polarizability effects arising from the long-range collective valence-electron charge-d. oscillations (plasmons) of the substrate are discussed.Short-range electron correlation effects at the surface may lead to the formation of a "quasimol. state" of adsorbed H₂ with a bond length ∼3.5 Å and a reduced bond energy ∼0.075 eV.It is proposed, that one consequence of this dynamical screening of the adsorbed mols. is that they are ejected normal to the grain surface with velocities ≲ 20 km s^-1 and not necessarily in a high vibrational state.Similar dynamical effects could be important in determining activation processes and long-range ordering in monolayer films of adsorbed H₂.The astrophys. consequences of these many-body effects are discussed in the light of recent exptl. and observational results.

100 Deals associated with ESRO

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100 Translational Medicine associated with ESRO

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